can't remember which one it was, but a few days ago a minister said there was no prospect of power cuts this winter. Given the performance of this government to date (has there ever been such a shambles in so short a time?) I have immediately started to prepare for the inevitable!
I already have a one ring camping gas device and am ordering a bigger version. More gas canisters on order for the existing device, a hot water bottle, a non-electric kettle, AA batteries for a couple of floor standing battery lights - oh, and nearly forgot - candles!
Mike
Bet you were in the boy scouts ! 😁
I've got some candles, that's about it.
I have a camping gas stove and gas which I bought after my susbstation caught fire some years ago and there was an extended power outage. I have plenty of torches and the like already. Candles can be dangerous. I'd likely just go to bed for warmth. I bought a UPS months ago to keep my WiFi going for a couple of hours or so. in the event of power cuts
Whats a UPS ?
No candles here but several torches and a few packs of batteries. Also a few hot water bottles. I often use one during the evening while I'm watching telly. The past couple of years I've been getting a good bit of pain in the small of my back and a hot water bottle tucked in there feels good and helps. Got flasks we can fill with coffee and plenty of bread/rolls ect to make sandwiches if needed. We were told we'd get warned when any outage would be, so we can have hot meals around that. 👌
Quote from: Michael Rolls on October 14, 2022, 09:41:03 PMcan't remember which one it was, but a few days ago a minister said there was no prospect of power cuts this winter. Given the performance of this government to date (has there ever been such a shambles in so short a time?) I have immediately started to prepare for the inevitable!
I already have a one ring camping gas device and am ordering a bigger version. More gas canisters on order for the existing device, a hot water bottle, a non-electric kettle, AA batteries for a couple of floor standing battery lights - oh, and nearly forgot - candles!
Mike
Don't think theres any worries yet, where I am Mike. When I purchased out here I was surprised how many houses have standby power reserves. Probably because of Hurricanes etc and also the high reliance on overground power lines with their susceptibility to the sweeping high winds over vast empty plains. There are also a number of battery powered lights throughout the property fed by a basement sited rechargeable storage unit about the size of a large suitcase, they cut in if the mains illumination and ignition power to the boilers fails.
Also theres a sunken 1,000 gallon oil tank underneath the basement floor and in between it's foundations, with an offset fill on the side of the house. The tank is only about a foot high apparently, but extends for most of the house footprint. Theres also a 2nd boiler (oil fed), which distributes output to the underfloor heating and hot water creation. A generator is in the basement and that likewise cuts in automatically in the event of a 'power outage'. Its very impressive how it all works and it gets checked every Autumn when the 'boilers' get serviced.
Quote from: Cassandra on October 15, 2022, 06:50:27 AMDon't think theres any worries yet, where I am Mike. When I purchased out here I was surprised how many houses have standby power reserves. Probably because of Hurricanes etc and also the high reliance on overground power lines with their susceptibility to the sweeping high winds over vast empty plains. There are also a number of battery powered lights throughout the property fed by a basement sited rechargeable storage unit about the size of a large suitcase, they cut in if the mains illumination and ignition power to the boilers fails.
Also theres a sunken 1,000 gallon oil tank underneath the basement floor and in between it's foundations, with an offset fill on the side of the house. The tank is only about a foot high apparently, but extends for most of the house footprint. Theres also a 2nd boiler (oil fed), which distributes output to the underfloor heating and hot water creation. A generator is in the basement and that likewise cuts in automatically in the event of a 'power outage'. Its very impressive how it all works and it gets checked every Autumn when the 'boilers' get serviced.
It sounds absolutely marvellous & the more you post about it the happier I am that you're living your dream life in such a lovely area.
All that practical technology! I'd be in my element.
I'm thinking of getting a small generator, which I'll connect to the consumer unit, with enough kWh output to feed the lights, internet & boiler.
Quote from: Alex on October 14, 2022, 10:18:47 PMWhats a UPS ?
Uninterruptible power supply. It's a box with a battery and some circuitry in it. When the power cuts it carries on providing power for a while. It doesn't take a lot of power to keep a router running so providing the internet connection itself isn't effected which it shouldn't be I should be able to use a tablet for a few hours. Better than just sitting in the dark.
Cassandra - sounds absolutely ideal! Clearly you have made an excellent decision in your choice of domicile
Mike
Cassandra, I am quite envious, sounds a wonderful place and you have all the backup you need.
Diasi, we have bought ourselves a small generator, I can't tell you much about it as my husband is the one who understands it. Should be enough power to keep the oil boiler going, the TV, fridges and a light, we have a gas camping stove too. After last winter on one of the coldest days when the power went off for two days we want to be prepared.
Thank you all. The previous owner was another elderly man who died intestate and with no relatives. He was an architect, very wealthy and designed the place with equisite attention to detail. There's an iron framed 'safe room', with a door 14" thick, ducted aircon (no wall units, except the out buildings). Armour plated telephone cabling and the most complicated burglar alarm system, incorporating hidden/disguised cameras a network of laser beams and pressure pads etc etc I've ever seen.
And of course Boris's tower!
Safe to say you're safe then Cass :grin: :upvote:
What is Boris's tower ?
Quote from: Alex on October 15, 2022, 10:50:14 PMSafe to say you're safe then Cass :grin: :upvote:
What is Boris's tower ?
Its a clock tower my predecessor built, where my resident Boreal Owl, "Boris" resides. He drops in via the kitchen window most mornings to sit on the mixer tap and enjoy some grilled bacon before departing for a kip to his 'eyrie'. I had a little radiator installed as it will be bitter cold in a few weeks time and we also turned the clock chimes off, so he can get some peace and quiet!
Of course I'd forgotten about the owl. You are an old softie Cass, I wish there were more about.
Quote from: Cassandra on October 15, 2022, 03:55:35 PMThank you all. The previous owner was another elderly man who died intestate and with no relatives. He was an architect, very wealthy and designed the place with equisite attention to detail. There's an iron framed 'safe room', with a door 14" thick, ducted aircon (no wall units, except the out buildings). Armour plated telephone cabling and the most complicated burglar alarm system, incorporating hidden/disguised cameras a network of laser beams and pressure pads etc etc I've ever seen.
And of course Boris's tower!
That sounds amazing, you could qualfy as a 'prepper' :grin: , & Boris is one lucky owl.
Quote from: Diasi on October 16, 2022, 04:11:36 PMThat sounds amazing, you could qualfy as a 'prepper' :grin: , & Boris is one lucky owl.
Americans are primed on some sharply contrasting values to their British cousins I've generally found. For example they mostly have a firearm as we would favour a screwdriver. They are very into 'security'. My safe room contains two gas masks, an oxygen cylinder, 50 litres of water in plastic bottles and enough solid food for a month. A Glock 17 Automatic pistol with a 33 round magazine that discharges in under 2 seconds together with 20 magazine clips
(stunningly expensive as they're almost bespoke items). 6 Stun grenades, 3 smoke bombs pepper sprays, walkie talkies and an armour plated phone line to the police. A mobile phone and two Kevlar bullet proof vests. A military first aid chest and a sort of blast blanket, I suppose in case anyone tried to blow the door open. In a sort of separate offset, theres two bunks, a chemical toilet, wash basin and a 200 gallon water tank, gas cylinder cooker and the smallest generator I've ever seen complete, with a fume consuming filter system.
When I bought the place
(a lawyer represented me at the auction by phone link, as I was in the UK at the time) all that was on the inventory was a mention of a
'small storage room'. Indeed apart from opening the door and briefly looking in, I never went near it for many months and then only to store some Jams for Annie. We entered together and were amazed. One complete wall (which opens in entirety with one concealed lever) was floor to ceiling with compartments, all meticulously labelled and dated. Everything is brand new and must be worth $20k in contents alone.
My predecessors total 'Estate' was in excess of $10 million, without the house and its contents. It was disposed of my the IRS and their version of 'The Official Solicitor'.
One strange addendum to this story. In the first draw we opened, which contained the Armoury was a note that read:
"To my successor in Title, I wish you good luck, if ever you need to indent any of these items".
It's always left unlocked with the only keys inside for fast access. Annie made a pair of curtains with a Pelmet to conceal the entrance. All very Doomsdayish and it sent a shiver through both of us.
The previous occupant was a very solitary individual, who was rarely seen. The mailman said he loved his dogs, horses (and Boris). Somewhere in his past he obviously came to respect life and indeed survival.
Quote from: Alex on October 16, 2022, 01:04:41 PMOf course I'd forgotten about the owl. You are an old softie Cass, I wish there were more about.
He was here earlier knocking on the window to get let in. When perched atop the side sink's mixer tap, he's most considerate and always turns around with tail feathers over the sink before a discharge! Then shakes his feathers, puffs up and turns round again, with a quick click of the beak!
Tillie got him into this after remonstrating with him for spoiling her polished draining board! He views her most comically, head to one side, with eyes telescoping like kaleidoscopes!
lovely mental picture!
Clever Mr Owl :upvote:
Quote from: Cassandra on October 16, 2022, 06:08:03 PMAmericans are primed on some sharply contrasting values to their British cousins I've generally found. For example they mostly have a firearm as we would favour a screwdriver. They are very into 'security'. My safe room contains two gas masks, an oxygen cylinder, 50 litres of water in plastic bottles and enough solid food for a month. A Glock 17 Automatic pistol with a 33 round magazine that discharges in under 2 seconds together with 20 magazine clips (stunningly expensive as they're almost bespoke items). 6 Stun grenades, 3 smoke bombs pepper sprays, walkie talkies and an armour plated phone line to the police. A mobile phone and two Kevlar bullet proof vests. A military first aid chest and a sort of blast blanket, I suppose in case anyone tried to blow the door open. In a sort of separate offset, theres two bunks, a chemical toilet, wash basin and a 200 gallon water tank, gas cylinder cooker and the smallest generator I've ever seen complete, with a fume consuming filter system.
When I bought the place (a lawyer represented me at the auction by phone link, as I was in the UK at the time) all that was on the inventory was a mention of a 'small storage room'. Indeed apart from opening the door and briefly looking in, I never went near it for many months and then only to store some Jams for Annie. We entered together and were amazed. One complete wall (which opens in entirety with one concealed lever) was floor to ceiling with compartments, all meticulously labelled and dated. Everything is brand new and must be worth $20k in contents alone.
My predecessors total 'Estate' was in excess of $10 million, without the house and its contents. It was disposed of my the IRS and their version of 'The Official Solicitor'.
One strange addendum to this story. In the first draw we opened, which contained the Armoury was a note that read:
"To my successor in Title, I wish you good luck, if ever you need to indent any of these items".
It's always left unlocked with the only keys inside for fast access. Annie made a pair of curtains with a Pelmet to conceal the entrance. All very Doomsdayish and it sent a shiver through both of us.
The previous occupant was a very solitary individual, who was rarely seen. The mailman said he loved his dogs, horses (and Boris). Somewhere in his past he obviously came to respect life and indeed survival.
Lol, you'll be like Robert De Niro's retired CIA operative character in 'Meet the Fockers'. :upvote: :clap:
P.S. Are you sure he was an architect? :grin:
Quote from: Diasi on October 16, 2022, 08:45:20 PMLol, you'll be like Robert De Niro's retired CIA operative character in 'Meet the Fockers'. :upvote: :clap:
P.S. Are you sure he was an architect? :grin:
Not a lot known about him, he was a New Yorker
(Queens) moved here from Syracuse and bought the place unbuilt and then modified the plans considerably within the footprint. I thought the 'safe room' a bit over the top, until I was directed by some of the regulars at the local bar to look up a few on 'youtube'. Fortresses and many of course ex military nuclear shelters. Here our man designed a place that myself and Boris are very content with! :smiley:
P.S.
Annie calls him 'Paul Kersey' (Charles Bronson) the architect from the 'Death Wish' films!
in contradiction of the government minister's statement a few days ago, the head of the National Grid has warned us to expect cuts between 1600 and 1900 if we get 'very cold' days in January and February.
Mike :boo: :boo: :boo:
Well at least the rubbish six o clock news will be cancelled and by time the news at ten comes on I'll be getting ready for bed. 📰😎
can't all be bad!
Well I can change the main meal time from 6ish to lunch time and have a few rolls made up along with a couple of flasks, one of soup and one of coffee for evening. 👍
seems like a plan - I normally have my main meal at lunchtime nowadays - only eat at dinner time if I have guests which is unlikely in the middle of a power cut
Mike